"Mama Lola" by Karen McCarthy Brown is a non-fiction book that chronicles the life and religious practice of a Haitian Vodou priestess, Mama Lola. The book is based on extensive fieldwork and interviews conducted by the author over the course of several years, during which she immersed herself in Mama Lola's community in Brooklyn, New York. Through Mama Lola's story, the book explores the complex and often misunderstood world of Vodou, a syncretic religion that blends African, European, and indigenous beliefs and practices. The book delves into Mama Lola's personal history and experiences, as well as her relationships with her family, her community, and the spirits and deities of Vodou. It also examines broader themes of race, gender, power, and the ways in which religious traditions are shaped by and shape cultural and social contexts. "Mama Lola" is praised for its insightful and empathetic portrayal of Vodou and its practitioners, as well as its contribution to broader debates about religion, culture, and identity. The book has been widely acclaimed as a groundbreaking work of ethnography and has become a classic of religious studies.
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